Sunday, 22 September 2013

Whispers of Spring....Chapter 4

Chapter 4

“I’ll
be in Shimla to receive you nanisa.”

“You
don’t have to come Raj. Puran Singh, my secretary, is accompanying me from
Delhi. We’ll just be changing choppers in Shimla. There’s no way I am going to
waste a minute going through inane formalities over there when I am dying to
hold my little Tanu. But you distract me…I asked you something. How was the
dinner? What do you think of Naina? She is lovely, isn’t she?”

Raj
closed his eyes, “Nanisa, it was a formal affair. I wanted to thank the lady as
well as convey her my apologies. That’s all. You know me….I don’t go around
forming opinions about everyone I meet. But I loved spending time with Beeji
and Aditya. That kid is intelligent and sensibly inquisitive.”

“Hmm!
I see. Right then Raj…I’ll see you in a week. Give my love to my
granddaughter.”

“Goodbye
naanisa! You take care. Call me before your flight.”

Raj
kept the phone on the balustrade and stared out at the night from the balcony
of his suite. “She is lovely, isn’t she?” Naanisa’s words played in his mind.
Damnation! Ever since he had landed here, everything and everyone has been
connected with her. This was crazy. He didn’t need a woman to wreak havoc in
his life…not again. Yet he couldn’t get the dewy-eyed woman’s indignant look
out of his mind as he wished her goodnight. As if she was not very happy with
the idea of spending few hours in his company…and his gut feeling told him that
it was nothing to do with him and yet a lot to do with him. He couldn’t shake
off the momentary spark of fear he had seen in her eyes when she thought he
attacked her. He had seen that emotion many a times during his service life. To
a veteran soldier, that demon was a familiar sight…and for a few seconds he had
seen her staring at one. Her split-second volte-face had surprised him. One
moment she was scared…and the next grinning away and teasing him. It didn’t
make any sense. She was an enigma…a puzzle with missing pieces…and he wanted to
find them. That alone surprised him. He was going to break a rule that he had
followed diligently till now...A chink was made in his armor and he wanted to
follow it to the end.

As
if on cue his phone rang. He checked the time. It was 11:14 pm. Who
could be calling at this hour?

“Hello!”

“Raj…it’s
me, Naina.”

“Naina?
Is everything OK?”

“Yes.
No. I mean…look, why I called this late at night is…Oh my God, I didn’t realize
it’s past eleven. I am sorry…I…”

“Naina…it’s
OK. I was awake. Now what’s this all about?”

“Oh…well…about
tomorrow…”

“Yes?”

“Look,
Beeji was just being Beeji. She didn’t realize I may be imposing on you. No,
no…please listen. I know we began on wrong foot. You were being nice and noble and
gallant when you invited us over for dinner because you wanted to make amends.
I appreciate the gesture…really, I do. However, that should have been it.
Neither you nor I planned for making the Kangra trip together. So…”

“Naina…”

“So…I
say we stick to our individual plans and…”

“Naina…”

“…you
go your way and I go mine.”

“Naina!!
Shut Up.”

“What?
What did you just say?” He heard her spluttering and grinned.

“You
heard me. If you think I am going to defy Beeji, then you are mistaken. I
respect her too much. Be ready at eight. Goodnight!”

He
switched off the phone and chuckled. It felt good to have the last word.

*****************************

Naina
stared at her phone. The man was insufferable. She had wanted to walk away from
this arrangement and keep on her side of the fence, as she always did so
conscientiously. But he had to go and play the bully. Something about him unnerved
her…as if she was on a dangerous territory….which was ridiculous. She took a
deep breath and decided she would stick to what she meant to do anyways…and if
he found her day’s schedule to be a hurdle in his plans, then that’s just too
bad. She won’t let him get to her. Having calmed herself, she slipped into
her bed and was asleep in no time.

Next
morning she woke up early and finished the last bit of baking. She heard Beeji
moving about and then peep in, “Good morning Naina. Finished the cakes? Good. Get
the tea outside. We’ll have it there. It’s a beautiful morning.”

“Good
morning beeji. I’ll be out in a few minutes. The tea is ready.”

She
went out to find beeji checking out her flower beds. She took great pride in
her garden. Tending personally to her flowers was her passion post retirement.
They sat on the porch steps with their cups.

“The
saplings are out on time, beeji. With the new landscaping, you are bound to win
this year’s Best Garden prize as well in the annual competition.”

“You
are such a biased darling, Naina.” She smiled, looking pleased, “I am excited
about the central island. I have planted five shades of pansies in a pattern of
my own making. Once the flowers come out, this place will look like paradise.”

“Absolutely.
You know beeji, this may sound weird, but I rather like this current look of the
garden the most. Everything is green…in various shades of it. The colors of
fresh expectancy…of something beautiful to come. Once the flowers come, you
know the autumn will follow, sooner or later. But now....now you hear the
whispers of spring through the leaves as the breeze blows through them gently.”

Beeji
kept her cup and turned to give a hug to Naina, “This is what I love about you
the most, my child…this cheerful mind-set, full of hope and optimism. I am so
proud of you. You amaze me with your strength, because I know in your place no
one else could have made it.”

Naina
laid her head on her chest and whispered, “I couldn’t have made it without you
beeji. I remember your words when I had just come to you. You had said, ‘Naina,
whether you want to live with happiness or not is something you have to decide.
You can move on and make a new life and new memories or you can give up on life
and let grief consume you.’ ” You and Adi were the miracle that saved me from
plunging to the rock bottom and allowed me to choose wings instead.”

“Oh
Naina…I look at you and I know why God didn’t plan a family for me in my youth.
It’s because He planned to send you to me in His own good time. Today I am a
proud mother and grandmother because of you. When you came, spring came back
into my life.” She lifted Naina’s chin and looked into her eyes, “I have a
feeling these whispers of spring that you talk about will bring many shades of
color in your life this year. Just promise me one thing.”

Naina
laughed and hugged her beeji tightly, “I am always happy beeji. Have you ever
seen me otherwise? I am not the one to let my past predict my son’s future as
well as mine.” She kissed beeji on the cheek and got up, “I better go and get
ready before Col Rathore comes, otherwise he will take a sadistic pleasure in
nagging me for my tardiness through the entire journey to Kangra and back.
Sheesh…he is such a grouch, beeji.”

“C’mon
Naina…since when have you become judgmental? Raj is the not only the most upright
and the most decent man I have ever known but also the most fun-loving one. You
will say the same thing when you get to know him better.”

“Fun
loving? Are we talking of the same man? In any case, I have no intention to
know him better, beeji. He has this chip on his shoulder against women, and I
don’t like it.”

Beeji
sighed, “He is hurting Naina…and he is angry as well.” She arose and looked speculatively
at the beautiful girl she took in as her daughter; taking a decision she said,
“Life hasn’t been fair to him. His wife turned her back when he needed her the
most. She asked for a divorce instead. He didn’t want to tie her down against
her wishes, so he agreed and let her go.”

“She
left Tanu?” Naina was stunned with this bit of information. What kind of woman
leaves her child?

“Yes.
She did. She…” Beeji couldn’t finish as Adi came out rubbing his eyes and
climbed on to Naina’s lap. This was one time of the day, he still felt like
being a baby and bask in the warmth of his mother’s arms. Naina nodded at beeji
and went inside, holding him and talking to him in her soothing, gentle voice.
Tanu was spending the day with Adi and beeji, and Adi had made big plans before
he finally slept the previous night.

Raj
stepped inside after wishing Adi and ruffling his hair, as Tanu gave a huge
smile to Adi and hugged him. Adi blushed and tentatively patted Tanu’s back. Tanu
pulled him down and whispered in his ear, “Adi bhaiya, I have brought Furry.
She is in the car. Let’s get her.” They ran out as beeji came and embraced Raj,
“Welcome beta! Will you like a cup of tea?”

“No,
thanks beeji. I have had my breakfast. Is Naina ready? We need to leave.”

“Good
morning Raj.” He spun around and took in the vision in pink and white anarkali
suit. Her beauty was all there….in her simplicity, in her sparkling eyes, in
the flowing hair, in her radiant persona graced with an inherent sophistication
that was exquisite and naive at the same time.

Raj
realized he had been staring when he heard beeji cough and Naina ask with a
frown, “What? Is something there on my face?” She patted her cheeks.

“No.
It’s perfect….I mean a very good morning to you too.” Suddenly his tone changed
and his voice was all rough and brusque, “Are you ready? Or do you have some last-minute
makeup to apply?”

Naina
rolled her eyes and looked at beeji with an “I told you so” look. She turned
her gaze at Raj, batted her eyelids, and then said in a saccharine-sweet tone, “Why
Colonel? Does my dull appearance disappoint you? Well, nothing can be done
about it. This is me.” She widened her eyes with a hopeful look, “You can still
change your mind and…”

Beeji
murmured something about seeing to the children and went out as Raj tapped his
stick impatiently and mumbled gruffly, “There is nothing dull about you Ma’am, I can
assure you…Now, if we are done discussing your appearance, should we make a
move? I don’t wish to be late for my appointment.”

Naina
waved her hand toward the exit, “You go ahead then. I have some baskets to get
from the kitchen. I’ll join you in a jiffy”

“What
baskets? We are going for official visits, not a picnic.”

Naina
tossed her hair behind and started walking toward the kitchen, “Oh, please don’t
work up a wrinkle in your starched shirt and stiff back Raj. You are the last
person I’d go on a picnic with.” She paused at the door and turned with a
smile, “After all picnics are supposed to be fun, and not a day out practicing
in a planned-out drill.”

As
she disappeared into the kitchen, Raj let his lips curve into a smile as he shook
his head, “And she calls herself dull.”

He
leant against the car with folded hands as he looked at beeji sitting with the
kids on the sunny lawn, with Furry between them. The door opened and Naina came
out balancing three baskets and a file folder in her hand. Adi ran to help her,
with Tanu following

“Would
you please open the trunk?” Naina called out to Raj.

“What’s
in them?” He questioned as he pulled the lever for the trunk.

Beeji
answered him, “They are cakes, Raj. Chocolate cakes, to be precise. Naina’s specials.
She always carries them, along with other tidbits to the Homes. The kids of the
orphanage wait for this treat every month, as do the old people of the ashram. They love Naina’s homemade cakes.”

Raj’s
eyes softened as he observed Naina with an inscrutable expression. She was now
kneeling down and held Adi and Tanu in her arms, passing instructions for the
day in her soft voice. She kissed them and stood up, “Bye sweeties. I’ll see
you in the evening. Have fun.”

The
kids ran to hug Raj as Naina waved at beeji and got in the car. Raj got in and
looked at her, “Tie up your seat belt.”

“No.”

“What?
Now you are going to be difficult for this too?” He sounded exasperated.

“What
do you mean? You are saying as if I am perpetually difficult with you.” She
pouted with a scowl.

He
sighed, “I didn’t mean it like that Naina. But rules are rules.”

“I
don’t like seat belts, Raj. Let’s just leave it at that.” She turned to him
with a smile, “Take it as my trust in your driving skills.”

He
shook his head and started the engine. They traveled for a few minutes in
silence, with Naina gazing out of the window. Suddenly she turned toward him, “Take
the turn on the left from the next crossing.”

“But
Naina, this bypass goes straight. I know the route.”

“I
know you do. But we are making a detour to Chamunda Devi temple first.”

“No
Naina. Not today. You can go to the temple some other day. I’ll be late for my
appointment.”

“Fine
then. Drop me at the next bus stop. I’ll take a bus.”

“For
the love of God Naina, you…,” his jaw tightened in anger.

“Exactly…for
the love of God.” She turned to him with a twinkle in her eyes.

37 comments:

I love how Raj's naanisa was asking about Naina and he was trying to avoid the topic as well as Beeji talking to Naina about Raj and how he has suffered because of his first wife that's why he is that way when it comes to women...It seems the elders are pushing the youngsters together ;)

Raj telling Naina to shut up and that he wouldn't defy Beeji was too good....he left Naina speechless LOL Yup Raj wants to know about the cause of Naina's fear, she did make a wee dent in his armor just as he did in hers as well.

I like the teasing between them before Naina went into the kitchen and their little argument in the car...It's gonna be a fun trip and I can't wait to see if/how Naina brings back out that fun side of Raj :D

IMO this trip is going to be an eye opener for the both of them...Keep up the wonderful job my Dear friend, you ROCK *HUGS*

Aww...thanks luv. It's such a pleasure to go through your comment after an update. Love you.

Well, it's getting evident that the senior ladies are seeing through their wisdom what Raj and Naina haven't even contemplated yet. Two unhappy souls are pretty much in sync when they are interacting, so what if it's mostly disagreeing at the moment. Fight or argue...they just cannot ignore each other. If Naina is reverting Raj to his real self with her effervescent nature, Raj is reinstating her faith in the male gender, which is that men can be honorable and descent.

Thanks again pal. Hope all's OK on the home and work fronts. Loads of bear hugs to you. :)

Anytime Hun...and it's a pleasure for me as well to be on this new venture with you...Love you more *muahhh*

Exactly right now Raj & Naina are not seeing what others are seeing they bring out the best in each other just by being her self the latter has made a way into the former's mind...and vice versa ;-) So yeah the elders are seeing the bigger picture now it's up to the new generation to make it happen :-)

No thanks needed my Dear friend that's what family is for being there for each other and encouraging them to take that leap of faith....All is good Dear thanks for asking, hope all is good with you as well :-) Aww loads of HUGS to you as well <3

Lovely update diRaj naanisa asking about naina.Raj liked adi and also thinks about naina and want to find about more of her..I think both naanisa and Beeji going cupid between Naina and Raj ;)Naina and Raj conversation superb..And their teasing parts sound coolLiked the way raj lost in naina's beauty...Beeji told about raj past to naina..Omg his wife left him and also left tanu ..How cruel..So sad for himLiked Tanu and Adi cute convoNaina and raj car scene awesome...It gonna be awesome trip for themEagerly waiting for next partThanks for pm di :)

Finally u have updated!! I thought u were into trip or something..I've been waiting for this on weekends, but sad to say, it didn't came..

Been bored this past days, was in the house the whole day coz it's raining hard, and this is the only past time I look at to (aside from IF), especially when my little one is busy with his game.

Nwei, was excited reading the update. I thought Naina and Raj whole day trip will be postponed.

Naina are obviously trying to be stubborn, and she did it in purpose.. Maybe in order for Raj to stay away from her.. But I guess Raj will never give up on her that easily. Now that he was attracted to her and already curious about her past, i don't think he will just ignore her like that. The more she's keeping distance with him, the more he is wanting to be with her, lol!I liked it!

I was happy seeing them in a small cat fight(is that what u call it?), can't stop grinning.

Oh, Raj was talking with Nanisa, she tells something about Naina, was that an indication that she has a plan for both?

I so loved Beeji-Naina convo in the garden, the inspiring words Beeji has uttered to Naina, her advise and how she makes her feel how life become meaningful because of her, the whispers of spring! Loved it!!!

Haha, kids were just good in keeping us hang, they always interrupt the conversation.. I just wanted to hug Adi, stop him from there and let Beeji continue with her story, haha.

Am intrigued with what Beeji was saying about Raj's wife. She left him when he needed her the most? hmm, wonder what really happened.

Now that Naina knows a little bit of Raj past, will that change her impressions for him?

Looking forward for the story to unfold, as usual you keep us hanging again..

Will Raj sacrifice his appointment for the sake of Naina's demand?Who's decision will prevail, is it Raj or Naina?This is just the beginning, wonder what will happen on the next moment they were with each other.

So many questions in my mind that needs an immediate answer, Indu (haha).. Continue soon dear..

I am sorry for the delayed update. My PC crashed during the weekend, and my world halted for two days :(

Your response to the chapter made my day. Thanks a ton for liking this. This is such a different stuff I am attempting that I am perpetually unsure whether I did the right thing by beginning. But I so wanted to explore the coming together of two individuals who fight the inevitable because of their damaged pasts. You ask whether knowing Raj's past will change Naina's perception of him. Hmm! Let's see. It's not that she doesn't respect him. She does. It's just that she has a part of her life that she has shared with no one...not even Beeji....and which probably makes her a hold up a permanent barrier.

Aww that was a really nice update Indu. I like the way nanisa and even beeji were hinting to Raj and Naina respectively to open up their hearts and not just base their present lives on their past experiences. Both women are older and can see that there is something there but Raj and Naina are yet to embrace the strange feeling that they sometime experience around each other. Beautifully written as always and this was a perfect start to my day. Can't wait to see what is in store next for these two.

Hey Saf...thanks my sweet friend. Those two older ladies seem to be working on a prearranged plan. Let's see. Raj and Naina do not want to get hurt again...and, more importantly, don't want their respective kids to be hurt again.

Wow Di!! Wow! This was such a cute update! Lol. That's the first descriptive word that came to mind. From Naina's explanation of "whispers of spring"; to her moment with beeji; to Raj's fascination with our fairy and finally, the cherry on top, little Adi blushing as Tanu hugged him. Lol. I literally had a huge grin on my face when I read that.

Hats off to you Di, for creating such magic when describing any situation! *clap*

I look forward to the next chapter, especially since I have a feeling it will be Raj-Naina filled with some amusing moments. Lol.

Aww, thanks Mohini. I am glad you are getting the hang of the characters so well. Adi and Tanu's getting-to-know-each-other is on a purely different plane than their individual parents. Tanu is shy but she is demonstrative when she is taken to someone...as she has to Naina and Adi. Adi, on the other hand, is a typical boy...hyperactive, responsible, yet shy of hugs and kisses from anyone other than his mumma. :)

So raj is interested in exploring his feelings on Naina, but is not ready to let anyone know. Well it's anyway too early for it. So beeji and ranima are in this together to get them together. Very nice.

Loved Raj's shut up.

Hope Naina takes beeji's words and let happiness when it is at door. Love Adi and tanu's bonding.Indu the story is moving along quiet well and I look forward to each update of yours.Bharathi

Raj has never met anyone like Naina. She intrigues him on an emotional level and tickles his soldier sense of bravado. He wants to know about her, and enjoys her company, but he hasn't dwelt much on why he is ready to find out more about this particular woman and why she is consumes so much of his thoughts.

Naina may look very open and forthcoming, but hers is a more shutdown case. She has learnt to camouflage her emotions so well that even beeji is not allowed to reach that corner. She may say that she won't let her past predict her future...but its more like she won't let her past influence beejis and Adi's and everyone else's present.

Loved Beeji and Naina early morning talk and more important...wish I could see the garden....the way u have described it....felt and visualized...loved the explanation part by Naina of 'whispers of spring'.

Simply enjoyed every convo between Raj-Naina...phone, teasing b4 the journey, car part and waiting to see whether Raj listens to Naina and takes her to Chamundi Devi temple. The beginning of journey is quite interesting and am impatient to know more......Indu - as usual fantastic update with cuties around .... Adi-Tanu.

Subconsciously Naina has shut the spring out from her life. That's why she finds her peace only in its whispers....when it has announced its arrival but is not there yet. Probably, somewhere in her past the spring knocked and never came, so Naina has totally given up on the colors.

Raj and Naina find themselves more and more entangled in each other's lives. They don't realize how much in tune they already are around each other. Let's see how this progresses. :)

I simply love this ongoing bantering Raj and Naina seem to have....never a dull moment!!!! Its so clear tha she has affected Raj big-time but he's tryingto deny it!! Guess we can't blame him as once bitten twice shy! I'm looking forward to learning about both their past relationship history but before that, I'm going to enjoy their nonstop verbal fights on this journey!

awsome Indu!!! as always. simplicity galore!!! dull moment with naina!!!! dull Naina!!! is that even possible. raj ji !!! aap tho gaye!!! he is phisling!!! naina is still protective about her limits. raj is taken by surprise. their nok joks are awsome!! he thought he had the final word... wait and watch raj???? but indu want to admit cant help visualising yash and arthi in this. so apt..thoroughly. love you....way to go and watiting. Jaans(Janaki)

I know why it's difficult for you to visualize anyone other than Yash/Aarti as the protagonists here. For a long time, and even now, we looked at that couple as epitome of beauty, grace, and perfection. It's OK

awww.. i loved the update.. it was so pleasant.. nanisa asking about naina to raj.. and him avoiding.. even though he was thinking about her.. the lil phone banter was cute.. and then finally learning a lil about his past and why he is the way he is.. the kids are just uber adorable.. absolutely adore their characters and even beeji..

i get the feeling that nanisa and beeji are planning something for raj and naina.. so excited to see what happens next and how they unfold their plan..

oh boy.. naina is testing him with making these detours.. i hope she doesnt push too much.. he does have an important meeting to take care of and hope she doesnt make him late.. lets see what happens.. and btw.. i totally also imagine this to be yash and arti.. and ansh and palak in place of adi and tanu..

awesome update InduRaj Nannisa asked about Naina but he avoid her Beeji told her that Raj was fun loving guy ,,,Loved their Convo over the Phone Dull naina,,wow lovely part that was Kids are so cute n adorableEagerly waiting for the next part ,,,rachna

Looking forward to that moment when that viscous dacitic-to-rhyolitic lava of Naina's love for Raj oozes out of the volcanic central vent like honey to form a symmetrical lava dome with Raj! I'm anticipating a quantum chemical reaction that will gradually develop like a positively charged atom nucleus! Excellent! Continue to captivate me with more of your awe-inspirational pieces of writing! Absolutely fantastic my dear! Surish

indu di lovely update dioh my god naina is smart enough that to be on a safer side away from raj she called him latenight but raj was raj .........hehe...........i guess she had fear that she will feel something which she decided not to give a chance ................hmm..............but this naanisa and beeji are joining the thread b/n naiana and raj................oh i felt bad when beeji told something abt rajs past ..........how can a mother can leave her baby.it was ridiculous...........

enjoyed their little nok-jhok and always naina outsmarts raj..........looking forward to their trip to kangra now..............awesome work di

Hi DiSo nainsaa words just kept him awake n remind all around his last week her to one lady call NainaN then her calling indicates her restless then she did not notice time too is it his thoughts or her feeling pre occupied her n then her comfort of calling him n telling everything n yet her restlessness around him But I like raj last dialogue shut up n sleep cya (lol)Then in beeji n naina words you gave me the meaning of whisper of spring n trust me it’s beautiful in its own way to these two women

N then they both had to discuss raj how can he be solitude from both woman’s though haanSo is his wife left him when he got injured or so n some more deep scars he faced in his past? As my mom says a woman can make or break a home so there we arewhy adi even we grown up still seek mother warmth when we get up on weekdays mostly I rush but weekend all get up late n goes up to mom n asking her to make this n that for my feastaww adi n tanu with furry had so many plans that so adorableb seems raj is clean bold bur wat to do as a discipline man know how to turn out from his emotions n naina only found his later expressions sad part nothing too both are so stubborn & love taunting each other to hide their deep emotions towards each other which we may call it attraction in this initial point of timeOh man love her outspoken nature n raj can’t resist him but smilea man with his rules n norms on which his life runs and a lady who does not want no more I shud say bound herself in social rules we had perfectFor the love of God man I just wonder it’s just a beginning of their journey what will happen next